‘Much Ado’ goes to the Riviera, via Seattle Shakespeare Company

Joss Whedon’s charming recent movie adaptation likely introduced many newbies to the wit and wisdom of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” — and the élan of black-and-white cinematography.

The Bard of Avon’s attraction/repulsion romp happens to be my favorite of all his romantic comedies, and Seattle Shakespeare Company’s season-opener “Much Ado,” staged by artistic director George Mount — and starring Matt Shimkus and Jennifer Lee Taylor, shown here, as the battling/loving Benedick and Beatrice — is set (intriguingly) on the Riviera in 1953. It has, according to Seattle Shakes, “a ‘To Catch a Thief,’ Cary Grant” aura of midcentury glamour about it. And why not?